D.-6d

14

The Trust controlling the district should be composed of seven local representatives, one member being elected from each river riding, and also of three Government representatives, called " River Commissioners," appointed for three years by the Minister of Public Works, one of the Government nominees being well versed in local-body work, the second an engineer , with expert knowledge of river-control, and the third preferably the District Engineer for New Zealand Working Railways. Your Commissioners further recommend that the duties of this controlling authority be clearly set out as follows :- (1.) To have detail surveys, plans, estimates, and specifications made for carrying out the works recommended above. These plans, &c, should be approved by the Government nominees on the Trust. (2.) The Trust, having adopted any scheme of works, should fix the special area to be benefited by the proposed works, and should cause to be made, a classification of the benefits to be derived by each property, for the purpose of paying interest and sinking fund on the loan to be raised. Such rates on each property to be in the ratio of the individual benefit to the total estimated benefits in each special area,. In the carrying-out of remedial measures for the mitigation or total prevention of damage from floods it is almost inevitable that the works should proceed from the up-stream end and be finally completed down-stream. In thus carrying out the protective works it follows that the property-holders up-stream are protected, either wholly or partially, from floods at a much earlier date —it may be some years- than the settlers living down-stream are similarly protected. If the settlers in a district are rated as a whole, and from the commencement of the construction of the works, it follows that the down-stream settlers may be paying full rates for many years without receiving protection, whereas the up-stream settlers may receive protection after , having paid rates for only a very short time. This does not appear , to your Commissioners to be an equitable arrangement, and it is suggested that some method should be adopted whereby the rating may be so adjusted that settlers should not be fully rated, until, such time as it can be shown that they are individually receiving some distinct benefit from the construction of the works, either partially or as a whole. If this recommendation is adopted, then interest should be charged to loan account during the construction of works. This would tend to expedite the completion of the works, and at the same time relieve the inequitable arrangement referred to above. (3.) To submit the proposals to the ratepayers and obtain their authority by poll to raise the necessary loan. In voting for , or against any proposal to raise a loan each ratepayer should exercise one vote only, and the proposal should be carried by a bare majority in its favour. (4.) To carry out the necessary work, either by contract or , direct labour, in as expeditious a manner as possible. (5.) To maintain the works efficiently, and to do whatever extra work may be necessary to improve the regimen of the river , and secure the fullest protection for , the district from floods. (6.) To maintain all. existing works (as well as new works) within their area controlling flood-waters of rivers and their tributaries, and, further, to maintain all artificial drains, pumping plant, floodgates, &c, and to carry out all pumping operations. (7.) To take all necessary observations and keep records that will assist in the study of the hydrology of the river, changes in its regimen, heights and driration of floods, &c. The Trust should have all the powers of a, local body; and further should have complete control of the Taieri River and its banks from Outram Uorge down, including the Waihola and other lakes, with their channels and beds ; also of the